Latest news with #JimFloor
South Wales Guardian
4 hours ago
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Tesco, Sainsbury's and M&S shoppers issued fruit update
Reports suggest that blueberries are thriving due to the warmest spring on record, with harvests increasing by nearly a quarter so far this year. By the end of August, it is anticipated that about 5,133 tonnes will be harvested, up from almost 4,187 tonnes at the same time last year. Spent almost £5 on the 'posh' strawberries and raspberries from @sainsburys only to find half of them are mush when we have gone to eat them. What a waste of money for what is meant to be their leading branded products. According to fruit experts and grocery analysts across the country, sales of the round fruit have also risen by nine per cent year-on-year. Daniel Martin, Group Commercial Director at SandA Produce, commented: "This blueberry season has seen a really positive early start, about two weeks ahead of schedule, thanks to strong light levels and an absence of rain. "As a result, we're seeing excellent fruit size and nice, even ripening across the crop. In summary, we are optimistic about the season and expect to see excellent flavour and shelf life from this year's crop." Jim Floor, Managing Director of Hall Hunter, one of the UK's leading blueberry growers, stated: "When it comes to robotic fruit picking, we're seeing steady and encouraging progress from robotics and automation companies. However, the technology isn't quite ready for widespread commercial adoption just yet." Nick Marston, Chair of the industry body British Berry Growers, revealed that all UK berry crops, including strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, were up by about 25 per cent. Recommended reading: "The weather has been very beneficial for all berry crops," he said. Bartosz Pinkosz from the Summer Berry Company, which provides fruit to major supermarkets, revealed during the earlier warning to British families that his West Sussex farm was growing berries so large they "cannot fit in your mouth". Mr Pinkosz informed The Guardian newspaper two months previously: "I have genuinely never seen a harvest produce such large berries consistently. Some are supersized – growing to the size of plums or even kiwi fruits."
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Fruit-loving Brits put on alert over blueberries and strawberries at supermarkets
People who go to Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Marks and Spencer for their food should take note. Brits who love incorporating tasty fruits into their meals have been put on alert this summer. People who go to Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Marks and Spencer for their food should take note of the latest positive update. Blueberries are thriving due to the warmest spring on record, with the harvest increasing by nearly a quarter so far this year, reports suggest. Approximately 5,133 tonnes are anticipated by the end of August, an increase from almost 4,187 tonnes at the same time last year. Sales of the round fruit have also risen by nine per cent year-on-year, according to fruit specialists and grocery analysts across the country. Those in the industry have said that the current crop is well ahead of schedule. This means Brits can enjoy "excellent" size and flavour from their favourite fruits, reports Birmingham Live. Daniel Martin, the group commercial director at S&A Produce, comments: "This blueberry season has seen a really positive early start, about two weeks ahead of schedule, thanks to strong light levels and an absence of rain. "As a result, we're seeing excellent fruit size and nice, even ripening across the crop. In summary, we are optimistic about the season and expect to see excellent flavour and shelf life from this year's crop." Jim Floor, the managing director of Hall Hunter, one of the UK's leading blueberry growers, stated: "When it comes to robotic fruit picking, we're seeing steady and encouraging progress from robotics and automation companies. "However, the technology isn't quite ready for widespread commercial adoption just yet." Nick Marston, the chair of the industry body British Berry Growers, said that all UK berry crops, including strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, were up by about 25 per cent. "The weather has been very beneficial for all berry crops," he said. This follows a similar announcement two months ago, indicating that strawberries at Tesco, Sainsbury's, and M&S were on track for an exceptional yield. Bartosz Pinkosz of the Summer Berry Company, which supplies major retailers, previously alerted UK households that his West Sussex farm was producing berries so large you "cannot fit in your mouth". Speaking to The Guardian two months ago, Mr Pinkosz stated: "I have genuinely never seen a harvest produce such large berries consistently. "Some are supersized – growing to the size of plums or even kiwi fruits." He added that recent weather had been "phenomenal" for the berries. For those who fancy choosing their own berries rather than heading to their nearest supermarket, some of the best spots in Scotland for strawberry picking have been named. Cairnie Fruit Farm in Cupar, Fife, topped the list thanks to its 45 acres of fruit fields that offers visitors the chance to pick a range of summer favourites, including strawberries, raspberries, cherries and blackcurrants. Making up the top three were Craigies Farming Deli and Cafe in South Queensferry and Charleton Farm in Montrose, Angus. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
The Independent
04-06-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Eight expert tips for growing a bumper strawberry crop this summer
British strawberries are off to an exceptional start this season, buoyed by ideal growing conditions, according to British Berry Growers. The combination of warm days, cool nights, and record-breaking sunshine has led to one of the most bountiful early harvests in recent years. While the Wimbledon Tennis Championships traditionally herald the peak of strawberry season, with approximately 200,000 portions of strawberries and cream enjoyed by attendees, there's a unique pleasure in savouring home-grown strawberries picked fresh. Fortunately, growing your own strawberries isn't too tricky – even for beginners. The weather makes a difference 'The weather has been very kind to all growers,' says Jim Floor, managing director of berry growers Hall Hunter. 'We had a very cold February and March, then from April onwards it's been sunny – and strawberries love sunshine. 'The nights have been quite cool and the perfect environment for strawberries is 20 degree days and 10 degree nights.' Plenty of bees help If you have a garden with plenty of plants which attract pollinators, such as open-flowered geum, iberis, cranesbill geraniums, lavender and heathers, you're likely to get better crops because the bees will pollinate the strawberry flowers. For the biggest harvests… You'll need plenty of space for a strawberry patch if you want a huge crop, and will need to plant numerous plants. Alternatively, you can grow strawberries in pots but because of the limited number of plants you can accommodate, your yield may be limited. Many types produce new runners after flowering, which create new plantlets on their own. You can also plant different varieties of strawberries to extend the season – summer-fruiting types, perpetual strawberries which produce a smaller quantity of fruit from summer until autumn, and Alpine, or wild, strawberries, which bear small crops of tiny berries spasmodically during summer. Plug plants are a good bet and are available in garden centres and nurseries from late spring onwards, or alternatively you can buy bare-root plants, known as runners, which look like root clumps, in late summer or early autumn, and again in spring. Plant in full sun or in polytunnels where they will be warm and won't become damp, or if outside a raised bed or grow bag is a good option, Floor suggests. 'I grow them in a hanging basket (at home) because they tend to do much better if they're not (at ground level) in the soil, where there are lots of pests and diseases.' During the growing season, make sure they are fed and watered regularly. 'I would recommend a balanced multi-purpose liquid feed. 'If you want sweeter strawberries you might want to put more potassium in, but you need to be careful because any overfeeding of potassium, calcium or nitrogen could give you a problem. ' Calcium can burn the leaves, potassium could potentially kill the plants and (overfeeding with) nitrogen, you will get 100% leaves and no fruit. Possible problems Slugs are a threat, he warns. 'Last year because of the mild winter and the wet year the problem was slugs, particularly if you were growing strawberries in the ground. 'This year it's been about keeping everything irrigated. As long as the plants have plenty of water, they will do well.' Birds may also feast on the fruits, so it would be wise to cover your strawberries with netting if you need to keep them at bay. As the fruits emerge, place straw underneath them so the fruits don't brush against the ground and rot. When are they ready to pick? When they are evenly red, he says. 'They don't necessarily come off the stem quite easily. If the fruit comes off easily it may be over-ripe.' After fruiting 'De-leaf the plants a little bit, getting rid of the debris and dead leaves, and there's no reason why they couldn't be kept for another year,' he suggests. Good varieties Strawberries which have received the RHS Award of Garden Merit include 'Hapil', which produces large red fruits and is lauded for its vigorous growth and is well-suited to light or drier soils and to containers; and the late season 'Florence' which has 'exceptional disease resistance' and whose large dark red fruits are produced in mid-July.
The Independent
03-06-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Expert tips on growing the most strawberries you can this summer
British strawberries are enjoying a stellar start to the season, with growers reporting one of the best early harvests in recent memory. Warm days, cool nights and record-breaking sunshine levels have combined to create perfect growing conditions, according to British Berry Growers. The Wimbledon Tennis Championships traditionally mark peak strawberry season, with around 200,000 portions of strawberries and cream consumed during the tournament. However, there's nothing quite like the taste of home-grown strawberries picked fresh, and they aren't difficult to grow for yourself. The weather makes a difference 'The weather has been very kind to all growers,' says Jim Floor, managing director of berry growers Hall Hunter. 'We had a very cold February and March, then from April onwards it's been sunny – and strawberries love sunshine. 'The nights have been quite cool and the perfect environment for strawberries is 20 degree days and 10 degree nights.' Plenty of bees help If you have a garden with plenty of plants which attract pollinators, such as open-flowered geum, iberis, cranesbill geraniums, lavender and heathers, you're likely to get better crops because the bees will pollinate the strawberry flowers. For the biggest harvests… You'll need plenty of space for a strawberry patch if you want a huge crop, and will need to plant numerous plants. Alternatively, you can grow strawberries in pots but because of the limited number of plants you can accommodate, your yield may be limited. Many types produce new runners after flowering, which create new plantlets on their own. You can also plant different varieties of strawberries to extend the season – summer-fruiting types, perpetual strawberries which produce a smaller quantity of fruit from summer until autumn, and Alpine, or wild, strawberries, which bear small crops of tiny berries spasmodically during summer. Plug plants are a good bet and are available in garden centres and nurseries from late spring onwards, or alternatively you can buy bare-root plants, known as runners, which look like root clumps, in late summer or early autumn, and again in spring. Plant in full sun or in polytunnels where they will be warm and won't become damp, or if outside a raised bed or grow bag is a good option, Floor suggests. 'I grow them in a hanging basket (at home) because they tend to do much better if they're not (at ground level) in the soil, where there are lots of pests and diseases.' During the growing season, make sure they are fed and watered regularly. 'I would recommend a balanced multi-purpose liquid feed. 'If you want sweeter strawberries you might want to put more potassium in, but you need to be careful because any overfeeding of potassium, calcium or nitrogen could give you a problem. ' Calcium can burn the leaves, potassium could potentially kill the plants and (overfeeding with) nitrogen, you will get 100% leaves and no fruit. Possible problems Slugs are a threat, he warns. 'Last year because of the mild winter and the wet year the problem was slugs, particularly if you were growing strawberries in the ground. 'This year it's been about keeping everything irrigated. As long as the plants have plenty of water, they will do well.' Birds may also feast on the fruits, so it would be wise to cover your strawberries with netting if you need to keep them at bay. As the fruits emerge, place straw underneath them so the fruits don't brush against the ground and rot. When are they ready to pick? When they are evenly red, he says. 'They don't necessarily come off the stem quite easily. If the fruit comes off easily it may be over-ripe.' After fruiting 'De-leaf the plants a little bit, getting rid of the debris and dead leaves, and there's no reason why they couldn't be kept for another year,' he suggests. Good varieties Strawberries which have received the RHS Award of Garden Merit include 'Hapil', which produces large red fruits and is lauded for its vigorous growth and is well-suited to light or drier soils and to containers; and the late season 'Florence' which has 'exceptional disease resistance' and whose large dark red fruits are produced in mid-July.
